Method and Apparatus for Harnessing Hydro-Kinetic Energy

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method is disclosed for generating usable power derived from oscillatory hydro-kinetic energy available in the movement of waves having a given height and being spaced apart by a predetermined distance at the surface of a body of water. Apparatus and method is disclosed for generating usable power derived from hydro-kinetic energy available in a body of water moving in at least one direction of movement, the at least one direction being substantially horizontal or substantially vertical. Apparatus and method is disclosed for generating usable power derived from hydro-gravitational forces available at a site having a source of water at a first elevation higher than a second elevation at a selected location where the usable power is to be derived.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a division of application Ser. No. 13/004,110, filed Jan. 11,2011, which application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/293,705, filed Jan. 11, 2010, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/308,994, filed Mar. 1, 2010,the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by referencethereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a system and method for harnessinghydro-kinetic energy from vertical, horizontal or oscillatory movementof water through unique devices and through reconstructing heightdifferences in flowing bodies of water without the necessity forbuilding a dam.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The importance of utilizing natural clean renewable energy has emergedas critical in order to combat global warming. The major sources ofnatural clean energy are the sun, the ground, wind and water.

The use of natural energy to harness power from different sources islimited for different reasons. The use of the sun and wind energy ismostly limited by the inconsistent availability of the energy source,depending upon weather, seasonal changes, and day and night cycles. Theuse of ground energy is limited by geographical location and bydifficulties in drilling a few miles below the surface of the ground.Water is the most abundant source of clean energy, but the use of energyderived from water is limited by conventional technology that requiresdam construction, high water flow, usually exceeding a few meters persecond, and the complexity of corresponding energy harnessing devices.

Kinetic energy sources of water movement can be divided largely intothree categories, (1) horizontal movement resulting from heightdifferences between two locations in a river, or by tidal flow in theocean, (2) vertical movement of water in a human built dam or fall, and(3) oscillatory wave movement originated from a combination of thehorizontal and vertical movement of water, found mostly in the ocean.

Currently, the use of horizontal hydro-kinetic energy in a traditionalwater mill or propeller-type generator requires a minimum water flow ofa few meters per second and is greatly restricted by geographicallocation. The method also lacks the ability to harness massive power.Several methods have been devised to harness massive energy, inmid-scale to large-scale power generation, based upon horizontalhydro-kinetic energy, including placing a turbine above a river, under abridge. The method blocks natural water flow, similar to a dam, with thepossibility of an occasional increased risk of flooding. The ability toharness horizontal hydro-kinetic energy with no or minimal water flowhindrance is a highly desirable goal. The present invention enables theharnessing of such energy with no or minimal water flow hindrance.

Currently, use of the vertical movement of water to harnesshydro-kinetic energy is largely limited by the use of an existingnatural fall, like Niagara, or by building a dam to hold water above adam area to create height for harnessing hydro-kinetic energy. Buildinga dam has mixed advantages and disadvantages. Disadvantages include (1)changes, or even destruction, of an ecosystem, and (2) a requirement fora large scale relocation of people in the affected region. Harnessingvertical hydro-kinetic energy is highly desirable, and the presentinvention enables harnessing vertical hydro-kinetic energy by recreatingheight differences without the necessity for building a dam.

Current uses of oscillatory hydro-kinetic energy in several applicationsare summarized inhttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/hydrokinetic/default.aspx .These applications still require improvements in efficiency and ease ofinstallation. The present invention provides a simple, highly effectiveand efficient way of harnessing oscillatory hydro-kinetic energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention utilizes three different modalities to achieve theharnessing of hydro-kinetic energy, namely, (1) oscillatory, (2)horizontal, and (3) vertical, with a reconstruction of height.

The surface of sea water always oscillates, moving upward and downwardin waves, in a “seesaw-like” movement. Direct harnessing of this mode ofhydro-kinetic energy is not easy. The present invention makes use of“seesaw” power chambers filled with water. Wavel movements oscillate theseesaw power chambers up and down. Water inside the seesaw powerchambers moves, based on changes in the relative slope between theseesaw power chambers. This moving water spins a power conversion unitto convert the hydro-kinetic energy inside the seesaw power chambers tousable electric power. Unidirectional flow devices can be located nearthe power conversion unit to effect unidirectional spinning of the powerconversion unit. The rotation of the power conversion unit is used togenerate hydro-electric power, using a generator. The power chambers areconstructed to facilitate the movement of water from one power chamberto the other, in response to the seesaw motion, and to drive the powerconversion unit for the effective and efficient generation of electricpower and to enable seamless energy production.

Power generation along the surface of flowing water using apropeller-type small water turbine system has been in use for a verylong time. However, the installation and scale of such a system islimited, based on the flow rate of the water at the site of theapplication. The present invention uses a different system and method toharness the horizontal flow of water, based on simple flow dynamics. Asan analogy, if someone places a ball on the top of flowing water, theball will flow in the direction of the water flow. The present inventionutilizes a method and system for harnessing such water flow by extendinginto the flow of water, a plurality of wide vanes spaced apart atpredetermined distances, so as to be moved by the water in the directionof flow of the water. The wide vanes are linked together by a continuousbelt or chain system so that each vane travels back to an origin. Whenthe wide vanes are returned against the direction of the flow of thewater, the vanes are retracted to minimize backward water flowresistance. The total available hydro-kinetic power follows the basicenergy equation, energy equals one-half times mass times velocity² wheremass is calculated by the unit area of the wide vane multiplied by thelength of the belt or chain and velocity is the flow rate of the waterat the system site. The present invention enables capturinghydro-kinetic energy with minimal flow rate by concentration andaccumulation, using wide vane movements.

One of the well known methods and systems currently in use to harnessgravitational hydro-kinetic energy includes the use of a dam. A damutilizes the hydro-kinetic energy produced by gravitational forcesgenerated by differences in height between the origin and thedestination of water. Building a dam requires the relocation of localpopulations and can cause harmful ecological changes due to the hugearea above the dam which will be submerged under water, and the creationof barriers to the natural movements of fish. The present inventionprovides a method and system which recreates height differences similarto those established by a dam, without requiring the building of a damand the creation of a huge reservoir. In accordance with the presentinvention, water is moved downward inside of closed pipes to a givendestination by means of gravitational hydro-kinetic forces. At thedestination, the water exiting the closed pipes moves upward inside aclosed tower, which is separated by a baffle into two parts, namely, arising part that receives water from the origin and a power harnessingpart. As the water reaches the top of the closed tower, the water willfall toward the lowest part of the tower to harness gravitationalhydro-kinetic power, expressed as m times g times h, where m representthe mass of the water flow over a unit time, g represents gravitationalforce and h represents the height of the closed tower. Thisgravitational force creates a lower pressure area at the closed pipes toaccelerate water flow rate. Since the pipes can be located outside ofthe water-way and can accelerate water flow rates by the gravitationalhydro-forces, the present invention can be used to minimize potentialflooding adjacent the bottle neck created in the vicinity of the waterflow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a largely diagrammatic pictorial view of an apparatusconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the apparatus operating in accordancewith a method of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a largely diagrammatic pictorial view of another apparatusconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a largely diagrammatic pictorial view of still anotheraparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the apparatus of FIG. 4 operating inaccordance with a method of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a largely diagrammatic pictorial view of yet another apparatusconstructed in accordance the the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a largely diagrammatic pictorial view of another apparatusconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a largely schematic view showing the apparatus of FIG. 7operating in accordance with a method of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a largely diagrammatic and schematic view of another apparatusconstructed in accordance with the present invention and operating inaccordance with a method of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are largely diagrammatic and schematic views ofanother apparatus constructed in accordance with the present inventionand operating in accordance with a method of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic and schematic view showing apparatus of FIGS.10A and 10B in a matrix at an installation site;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic elevational view showing a potentialinstallation site;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic elevational view showing a conventionalinstallation for creating hydro-kinetic energy at the site depicted inFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic elevational view showing another apparatusconstructed in accordance with the present invention for creatinghydro-kinetic energy at the site depicted in FIG. 12; and

FIGS. 15 through 17 are top plan views showing alternative constructionsfor the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specificnumbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however,to one having ordinary skill in the art, that the invention may bepracticed without these specific details. In some instances, well-knownfeatures may be omitted or simplified so as not to obscure the presentinvention. Furthermore, reference in the specification to “oneembodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearancesof the phrase “in an embodiment” in various places in the specificationare not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

The present invention advantageously provides an electricity generationsystem and method utilizing hydro-kinetic energy that provides increasedefficiency, weather durability and easier installation and manufacture.

The present invention also provides an electricity generation system andmethod that takes advantage of oscillatory hydro-kinetic energy.

The present invention also provides an electricity generation system andmethod that takes advantage of horizontal hydro-kinetic energy.

The present invention also provides an electricity generation system andmethod that can be used at lower levels of horizontal hydro-kineticenergy in a river or in the sea.

There is always wave movement in the ocean due to heat from the sun,wind, and forces resulting from relative movement between the earth andthe moon. The waves have heights up to a few meters, depending onlocation. The amount of energy available is proportional to the volumeof water in the wave and the frequency of movement.

The height of the wave varies by time and conditions. Therefore, it isdifficult to harness power by simple piston movements, as found in manyexisting and proposed systems. In addition, efficiency can be doubled ifa system could use both rising and falling wave movements.

There is always water flow in the sea for the reasons mentioned above,and in rivers as a result of altitude differences. Electric generationhas been achieved using a propeller-type generator. Use of thepropeller-type generator can injure fish or water animals when operatingat high speed. Moreover, propeller-type systems require a medium to highwater flow rate. Developing methods to harness energy over widersurroundings, or through or increased energy harness efficiency in alimited area can enable use of a low flow rate in electricitygeneration.

As set forth in the following detailed description, the presentinvention enables use of horizontal hydro-kinetic energy for electricitygeneration.

The present invention utilizes belt or chain type rotors to harnessenergy and enable capturing energy in a much wider area with highefficiency. This invention enables electric generation at lower flowrates and reduces fish or sea animal injury during the generation ofelectricity.

The present invention also provides method and systems for recreatinggravitational hydro-kinetic energy.

Referring now to the drawing, and especially to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, awave kinetic energy harnessing apparatus constructed in accordance withthe present invention is shown in the form of a “seesaw” power system 20for harnessing oscillatory wave hydro-kinetic energy manifested in theform of waves 22 at the surface 24 of a body of water 26. Power system20 includes power chambers in the form of tanks 30 and 32, each havingan interior 33, and being interconnected by a conduit 34 providingpassages 36 communicating with corresponding interiors 33 of tanks 30and 32 to connect the interiors 33. Passages 36 are tapered down fromeach tank 30 and 32 toward a throat 38 located intermediate the tanks 30and 32. A volume of a kinetic energy material, shown in the form ofwater 40, is contained within power system 20 and fills approximatelyless than one-half the total volume available within the system 20. Anenergy conversion device is shown in the form of a water-flow responsivedrive wheel 42 journaled for rotation within throat 38 and coupled to anelectrical power generator 44.

As best seen in FIG. 2, power system 20 is buoyant, is floated on thesurface 24 of the body of water 26, and has a length between tanks 30and 32 derived from the characteristics of the tidal waves 22 located ata particular installation site 50. That is, the spacing between tanks 30and 32 preferably is set to somewhat less than the spacing betweenadjacent waves 22 experienced at site 50 so that as power system 20floats on surface 24, power system 20 will be driven through a “seesaw”motion in which the relative elevation of tanks 30 and 32 will alternatebetween a first orientation, shown at 52, wherein tank 30 is up,elevated above tank 32, which is down, and water 40 flows from tank 30to tank 32, and a second orientation, shown at 54, wherein tank 32 isup, elevated above tank 30, which is down, and water 40 flows from tank32 to tank 30. As the water 40 passes between tanks 30 and 32, throughconduit 34, drive wheel 42 is actuated by water 40 passing throughthroat 38, and the oscillatory tidal hydro-kinetic energy available atsurface 24 of the body of water 26 is converted into usable electricalpower by power generator 44.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, one-way flow controllers areadded to power system 20 and are shown in the form of flow directors 60and 62 located within conduit 34, adjacent throat 38. Flow directors 60and 62 serve to control the flow of water 40 so that the flow of water40 always is directed to the appropriate side of drive wheel 42, therebyincreasing effectiveness and efficiency in the actuating of water wheel42 by water 40.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a power system 120 is constructed similarto power system 20 described above, and the same reference charactersare used to identify similar component parts. Thus, tanks 30 and 32 ofpower system 120 are similar to those of power system 20, with theexception of the addition of ports 170 and 172 which open correspondingtanks 30 and 32 for the passage of water from the body of water 26 intoand out of the interior 33 of each tank 30 and 32. The ports 170 and 172are located on tanks 30 and 32, respectively, such that upon riding thewaves 22 at the surface 24 of the body of water 26, the tanks 30 and 32will move through a “seesaw” motion as before; however, rather than relyupon a kinetic energy material carried inside the tanks 30 and 32, waterfrom the body of water 26 is passed through the tanks 30 and 32 toharness oscillatory hydro-kinetic energy, as follows:

With particular reference to FIG. 5, power system 120 is driven througha “seesaw” motion in which the relative elevation of tanks 30 and 32alternates from a first orientation, shown at 152, wherein tank 30 isup, elevated above tank 32, which is down, and water 140 flows from thebody of water 26, through ports 170 into tank 30, and thence from tank30 to tank 32 to exit through ports 172, and a second orientation, shownat 154, wherein tank 32 is up, elevated above tank 30, which is down,and water 140 flows from the body of water 26, through ports 172 intotank 32, and thence from tank 32 to tank 30 to exit through ports 170.As the water 140 passes between tanks 30 and 32, through conduit 34,drive wheel 42 is actuated by water 140 passing through throat 38, andthe oscillatory tidal hydro-kinetic energy available at surface 24 ofthe body of water 26 is converted into usable electrical power by powergenerator 44.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, one-way flow controllers addedand are shown in the form of flow directors 60 and 62 located withinconduit 34, adjacent throat 38. Flow directors 60 and 62 serve tocontrol the flow of water 140 so that the flow of water 140 always isdirected to the appropriate side of drive wheel 42, thereby increasingeffectiveness and efficiency in the actuation of drive wheel 42 by water140.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a horizontal kinetic energy harnessingapparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention is shownin the form of a power system 220 for harnessing horizontalhydro-kinetic energy manifested in the form of water 226 flowingsubstantially horizontally, in the direction of arrows 228. Power system220 includes a continuous, endless conveyor having a demand-based lengthand shown in the form of a pair of belts 230 mounted upon rollers 232for movement along a closed loop path of travel as rollers 232 rotateabout fixed axes of rotation 234. A multiplicity of vanes 240 arecarried by belts 230, mounted upon supports 242 carried by the belts230, for pivotal movement relative to the belts 230, as will bedescribed below.

Belts 230, rollers 232 and vanes 240 are immersed in flowing water 226and secured in place by stationary posts 243. As water 226 flows in thedirection of arrows 228, vanes 240L along the lower legs 230L of belts230 are pivoted by the water flow, as well as by gravity, to theorientation shown in FIG. 8, wherein the vanes 240L projectsubstantially perpendicular to legs 230L to intercept the water flow forbeing driven by the flow of water 226 to advance the legs 230L of belts230 in a direction of advancement indicated by arrows 244. At the sametime, vanes 240U along the upper legs 230U of belts 230 are retracted bythe water flow, as well as by gravity, into an orientation wherein thevanes 240U lie substantially parallel to belts 230, adjacent upper legs230U, so as to minimize any resistance to the movement of legs 230U inthe return direction depicted by arrow 246, as legs 230L are advanced.Belts 230 are coupled with a drive wheel 250 which, in turn, is coupledto a driven wheel 252 through a drive belt 254, and a generator 260 iscoupled to driven wheel 252 for actuation to generate electrical powerderived from the hydro-kinetic energy of flowing water 226.

Power system 220 is quite versatile and can be immersed to almost anydepth in flowing water to harness kinetic energy available in the water,and can be used in any one of many positions in order to maximize thecapture of horizontal hydro-kinetic energy present in flowing water.

In FIG. 9, two power systems 270, constructed similar to theconstruction of power system 220, are immersed in a body of water, thetwo power systems 270 being spaced apart horizontally in a field ofwater 272 flowing in the direction of arrows 274. As in the embodimentdescribed above, each power system 270 is provided with vanes 280 onsupports 282 carried by belts 284 coupled to rollers 286. As water 272flows in the direction of arrows 274, the vanes 280 along one side 290of each power system 220 are raised from a corresponding belt 284 to bedriven by the flowing water 272, while the vanes 280 along the otherside 292 of each power system 220 are retracted so as not to impede themovement of belts 284. The belts 284 are coupled to generators (notshown) to convert the kinetic energy present in the flowing water 272 toelectrical power.

Power systems 270 are provided with a wedge-like configuration in whichforward ends 294 are narrower than rearward ends 296. In this manner,the flow of water 272 is accelerated along each power system 270 forgreater effectiveness in harnessing the kinetic energy available in theflowing water 272.

Referring now to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a wave kinetic energy harnessingapparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention is shownin the form of a power system 320 for harnessing vertical hydro-kineticenergy. Power system 320 is shown installed in a body of wave water 322where the level of the surface 324 of the water 322 rises and falls inaccordance with an oscillatory movement in a wave cycle . Power system320 includes a belt 330 that extends around upper and lower rollers 332mounted for rotation about substantially horizontal, vertically spacedapart axes of rotation 334 which are fixed in place relative to therising and falling surface 324 of water 322. A plurality of impellers340 are carried by belt 330 and project from the belt 330, generallyperpendicular to the belt 330. Each impeller 340 includes a frame 342within which vanes 344 are mounted for pivotal movement between an openframe orientation, as seen at 350, and a closed frame orientation, asseen at 352.

During a rising wave, as depicted in FIG. 10A by arrows 356, the forceof the rising water 322 against the vanes 344 of submerged leftimpellers 340L moves the vanes 344 into a closed frame orientation 352and drives the belt 330 in an advancing direction, depicted by arrows358. As each impeller 340L rises above the surface 324 of water 322, thecorresponding vanes 344 will become free to move back to the open frameorientation 350, in response to the biasing force of gravity, in whichorientation any water or other matter within an impeller 340L isreleased, and any air or water resistance is minimized, so thatimpellers 340L offer little resistance to continued movement of belt330, along a closed looped path of travel, in the direction of arrows358. Upon rounding the upper one of rollers 332, each frame 342 will beinverted as the corresponding impeller 340 becomes a right impeller340R, and the vanes 344 of those impellers 340R located above surface324 of water 322 will move to a closed frame orientation 352 in responseto the biasing force of gravity. In the closed frame orientation ofvanes 344, water in the vicinity can accumulate within those impellers340R which are above surface 324, and the weight of such water willassist in moving the belt 330 in the direction of arrows 358. Uponmovement of impellers 340R into water 322, the vanes 344 of submergedimpellers 340R will be biased, by the force of water 322 against thevanes 344, into the open frame orientation 350, offering littleresistance to downward movement of submerged impellers 340R andcontinued advancement of belt 330 in the direction of arrows 358.

During a falling wave, as depicted in FIG. 10B by arrows 370, the forceof the falling level of water 322 against the vanes 344 of submergedright impellers 340R will maintain the vanes 344 in the closed frameorientation 352 and, along with enlistment of the force of gravityacting upon any water-filled right impellers 340R located above surface324 of water 322, will drive the belt 330 in the direction of arrows358. As each impeller 340R rounds the lower one of the rollers 332, eachframe 342 will be inverted as the corresponding impeller becomes a leftimpeller 340L, and the corresponding vanes 344 will move back to theopen frame orientation 350, in response to the biasing force of therelatively downward movement of water 322 against the vanes 344 ofsubmerged impellers 340L, and will continue to remain in the open frameorientation upon emerging from water 322, by the biasing force ofgravity, in which orientation of vanes 344 impellers 340L offer littleresistance to continued advance movement of belt 330 in the direction ofarrows 358.

Belt 330 is coupled with a drive wheel 380 which, in turn, is coupled toa generator (not shown) so that upon advance movement of belt 330 in thedirection of arrows 358, the vertical hydro-kinetic energy available inthe body of wave water 322 is harnessed and converted to electricalpower.

As seen in FIG. 11, a multiplicity of power systems 320 are arranged ina matrix 390 spread over a relatively large area at an installation site392. A framework 394 constructed of columns 396 and beams 398 supportthe multiple power systems 320, each fixed in place within matrix 390,for harnessing the tidal vertical hydro-kinetic energy available overthe area of the installation site 392. Framework 394 may be buoyant forease of movement to installation site 392, and then tethered or anchoredin place once located at the installation site 392. Alternately,framework 394 can be constructed as a fixed structure at theinstallation site 392. Thus, even where the rise and fall of waves maynot be great, or the time between rise and fall may be spread out, thefield of multiple power systems 320 will derive suitable amounts ofelectrical power from the available vertical hydro-kinetic energy.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, there is illustrated,diagrammatically, in FIG. 12, a potential site 400 for the installationof a system for harnessing gravitational hydro-kinetic energy availablein water 410 flowing naturally from a higher elevation at 412 to a lowerelevation at 414. Conventional installations generally call for theconstruction of a dam, as shown at 420 in FIG. 13. Dam 420 creates avery large water reservoir 422 behind the dam 420, establishing a sourceof energy which is tapped by releasing the water 410 through awater-powered generator (not shown). However, the presence of a dam canhave a very great adverse affect on the character of the area in whichthe dam is located, not the least of which is flooding to create thereservoir 422, often requiring the relocation of local populations, andcausing irreversible disruptions to local ecological systems.

The embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 14 harnessesthe gravitational hydro-kinetic energy available at the natural site400, without the necessity for building a dam, and without significantdisruption of the character of the area. To that end, a power system 500includes a water duct in the form of a pipe 510 extending between thehigher elevation 412 and the lower elevation 414. At the lower elevation414, a tower 520 communicates with pipe 510 and water 522 is passed fromthe higher elevation 412, confined by pipe 510, to the lower elevation414 and into tower 520 through an inlet 524. A baffle 530 is placedwithin the interior 531 of tower 520 and extends upwardly to apredetermined elevation adjacent the higher elevation 412 and dividesthe interior 531 of the tower 520 into a first chamber 532 and a secondchamber 534. Water 522 enters the tower 520 through inlet 524 at thebottom of the first chamber 532, rises in the first chamber 532, andthen spills over baffle 530 to flow downwardly through second chamber534 to an outlet 536 to be passed to a water-driven generator (notshown). The height of baffle 530 extends from a basal end 540 to a topend 542 and establishes a reconstructed altitude from which water 522flows downwardly at an accelerated rate of flow, thereby maximizing theenergy derived from the flow of water 522 for optimum power generation.In the preferred construction, top end 542 of baffle 530 is placedadjacent the level of higher elevation 412, at an elevation 548 locatedjust below the level of higher elevation 412.

At the same time, the impact on the site 400 is minimized. Withreference to FIGS. 15 through 17, as well as to FIG. 14, pipe 510 is agenerally tubular construction in which the pipe 510 essentially isclosed to the surroundings along the length of the pipe 510. Moreover,the pipe 510 has a relatively narrow width, as viewed in plan, and canbe located along a run 550 which is significantly wider than the pipe510, enabling naturally flowing water 410 to bypass the pipe 510 so asto cause very little disruption to the character of the area. To thatend, pipe 510, and tower 520, can be located at one edge 552 of run 550,as seen in FIG. 15, between edges 552 of run 550, as shown in FIG. 16,or even spaced somewhat beyond an edge 552 of run 550, as illustrated inFIG. 17. In each of these arrangements, water 522 flows through pipe 510at a lowered pressure inside the closed pipe 510, the pressure beingdetermined by the selection of the level of elevation 548, enablingwater 522 to be delivered from higher elevation 412 to lower elevation414 as needed and with minimal risk of damage due to flooding.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. Apparatus for generatingusable power derived from hydro-gravitational forces available at a sitehaving a source of water at a first elevation higher than a secondelevation at a selected location where the usable power is to bederived, and a run extending between the first and second elevations,the apparatus comprising: a tower for placement at the selected locationto receive water from the source of water, the tower having an interiorextending upwardly substantially from the second elevation toward thefirst elevation; a baffle within the interior of the tower, the bafflehaving a basal end adjacent the second elevation and a top end adjacentthe first elevation, the baffle extending upwardly to divide theinterior into a first compartment and a second compartment communicatingwith the first compartment at the top end of the baffle; the towerincluding an inlet to the first compartment and an outlet from thesecond compartment, the inlet and the outlet each being located adjacentthe second elevation; a water duct for extending adjacent the run, fromthe source of water at the first elevation to the inlet to the firstcompartment of the tower; and an energy conversion device responsive toa flow of water from the outlet from the second compartment of thetower, the energy conversion device communicating with the outlet suchthat upon a gravitational flow of water from the source of water,through the water duct, and into the first compartment of the tower, thewater will fill the first compartment, then flow over the top end of thebaffle and into the second compartment, and then drop through the secondcompartment to pass through the outlet and actuate the energy conversiondevice, thereby to generate usable power.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the water duct comprises a pipe for closing the water duct alongthe run, between the first elevation and the second elevation.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the top end of the baffle is lower than thefirst elevation.
 4. A method for generating usable power derived fromhydro-gravitational forces available at a site having a source of waterat a first elevation higher than a second elevation at a selectedlocation where the usable power is to be derived, and a run extendingbetween the first and second elevations, the method comprising: placinga tower at the selected location to receive water from the source ofwater, the tower having an interior extending upwardly substantiallyfrom the second elevation toward the first elevation; placing a bafflewithin the interior of the tower, the baffle having a basal end adjacentthe second elevation and a top end adjacent the first elevation, thebaffle extending upwardly to divide the interior into a firstcompartment and a second compartment communicating with the firstcompartment at the top end of the baffle; extending a water ductadjacent the run, from the source of water at the first elevation to aninlet to the first compartment of the tower; placing an energyconversion device responsive to a flow of water in communication with anoutlet from the second compartment of the tower; establishing agravitational flow of water from the source of water, through the waterduct, and into the first compartment of the tower to fill the firstcompartment, then flow over the top end of the baffle and into thesecond compartment, and then drop through the second compartment to passthrough the outlet and actuate the energy conversion device, thereby togenerate usable power.
 5. The method of claim 4 including placing thetop end of the baffle at an elevation lower than the first elevation.